Bluebells stay wrapped up after freeze

BY now many of our woods should be filled with scent, their floors a sea of purple.

There is no sign yet of bluebells in Heartwood Forest near St Albans, Herts

But after the March freeze our bluebell copses are missing their key ingredient.

The National Trust has received just five reports of the wildflower so far this year, compared to 1,088 by the same date 12 months ago.

Experts say this suggests spring weather may be up to five weeks late – but this could herald a good summer. The Woodland Trust has also had fewer reports of bluebells, and just 148 sightings of ladybirds compared to 1,174 by this time last year. Louise Neicho, manager of its Heartwood Forest near St Albans, Herts, said: “Last year we had vivid carpets of bluebells in the ancient woodland, this year there is not even a hint of purple.”

But one year ago the ancient woodland was carpeted with the wildflowers

There is a really good link between late springs and very good summers, and we are due a very good summer

National Trust naturalist Matthew Oates

The British Trust for Ornithology has, meanwhile, had few reports of early summer visitors such as swallows, sand martins, chiffchaffs and willow warblers, which should have arrived in vast numbers.

But National Trust naturalist Matthew Oates said the cloud may have a silver lining. “There is a really good link between late springs and very good summers, and we are due a very good summer.”

Heavy winter rain has caused cases to double in a year of a fungus that attacks box hedges, leaving gaping holes in the shrubs.

The Royal Horticultural Society said fungicides may not work as the blight will mutate. It recommends that gardeners do not trim hedges too tightly as newly-sprouting leaves are more prone to infection.